Executive Director
[email protected]

• Create and execute a strategic plan for the Padnos International Center that aligns with the university’s overall goals.
• Provide leadership to enhance the PIC’s mission, reputation, and effectiveness.
• Initiate and support programs that promote international education and cross-cultural understanding.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with foreign universities, organizations, and governments.
• Oversee the center’s budget, ensuring effective use of resources.
• Develop and implement policies related to international programs and activities.

Assistant Director
[email protected]

• Responsible for alumni engagement including the online network and international & domestic events.

• Serves on the Global Grand Rapids task force and supports all events and initiatives.

• Contributes to the development of programs for the Padnos International Center.

• Assists with international student orientation in the fall and winter semesters.

Padnos International Center Assistant
[email protected]

• Office Manager
• Assist Executive Director 
• Manage budgets
• Travel & expense forms
• Notary Public
• Workday

Director of Study Abroad and International Partnerships
[email protected]

• Monitor and respond to crisis and risk management related to education abroad
• Manage GVSU’s institutional international partnerships and represent GVSU to international partners
• Review study abroad applications
• Set policies for study abroad and evaluate international activities
• Manage study abroad credit transfer process
• Provide overall management of daily study abroad operations
• Advise faculty, staff and students on study abroad issues and concerns

Director of International Student and Scholar Services
[email protected]

• Advocate for iStudents at GVSU and in the Community

• Primary Immigration Advisor to F-1 and J-1 Students

• Lead ISS Team

• Advance services for iStudents

• Oversee Visiting Scholars and Visiting Staff 

Study Abroad Advisor
[email protected]

• Advise GVSU students interested in academic international experiences including financial, academic, cultural, health and safety issues

• Counsel students with unique issues (disabilities, dependents, chronic health issues, identity concerns) to enable them to successfully participate in study abroad. 

• Assist with compiling student trends/statistics

• Coordinate study abroad fairs

• Supervise and train peer adviser staff

Coordinator of Study Abroad and International Partnerships

[email protected]

• Post GVSU Study Abroad Acceptance - Long Term Study Abroad Exchange and Provider Programs
• Pre-Departure Orientations - Policies, Expectations, Cultural Adjustment, Insurance
• Forms - Pre-Departure, Financial Aid Agreement, Study Abroad Budget, Visa Forms, external provider forms
• Course Approvals - GVSU Course Codes, Issues, Gen Eds, Study Abroad Transcript Verification
• Returned Student - Welcome Back Event, Work Abroad Event

Faculty-Led Program Coordinator

[email protected]

•  Assists with the development, assessment, and improvement of Faculty-Led Study-Abroad Programs;
• Conducts pre-departure trainings and informational sessions for faculty and students;
• Manages behind-the-scenes logistics to aid in the execution of the Programs;
• Answers questions and assists with problem-solving including visa applications, budgets, and health insurance;
• Renders assistance and aid as needed

International Programs Coordinator

 [email protected]

• Advising and coordinating for Internship and Independent Study experiences abroad.
• Marketing, promotion, and events for Padnos International Center.
• Management of student outreach worker and outreach tasks for PIC.

International Programs Coordinator
[email protected]

• Manages study abroad publications
• Assists with study abroad outreach
• Manages study abroad website
• Oversees social media

International Programs Specialist
[email protected]

• Updates programs, applications, and forms in our online portal for study abroad students 

• Responsible for data collection and management to track and improve study abroad programs and agreements with partner universities and/or providers 

• Assists with pre-departure processes for sponsored programs abroad (conferences, sports team travel, etc.) 

Coordinator International Student Services

[email protected]

• International student guidance and support surrounding cultural adjustment, immigration, legal matters, health and safety.
• Immigration guidance and advice for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• Advocacy across campus for appropriate resources and support for international students.
• Advising and documentation for both Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 program and a Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 program.
• Student engagement and international student event planning.
• Advisor for the International Student Organization (Uniting Nations).

Office Coordinator
[email protected]

• Supports the International Student and Scholar Services Team with background work including booking rooms for events, ordering catering, and arranging meetings for the ISS team.

• Arranges itinerary for GVSU’s International Visiting Scholars from our partner schools.

• Serves as primary contact for our exchange partners who send students and faculty/staff to GVSU.

• Serves as the Alternate Responsible Officer in SEVIS for J-1 students and scholars.

Coordinator International Student Services 

[email protected]

• Support and advocate for international students 
• Help international students adjust culturally, academically, and legally to GVSU and the U.S.
• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) for F-1 students and conduct immigration advising
• Connect international students with on- and off-campus resources and facilitate opportunities for iStudents to engage and integrate with our community

Meet our Front Desk Workers & Grad Assistants!

Read More about the Front Desk & Grad Assistant Staff

Meet the Peer Adviser Staff!

Peer advisers are an essential part of the PIC Team! They help guide students through the study abroad process. 

Read More About the Peer Adviser Staff